We were close the first time around. Apparently the Dolphins were within Jadeveon Clowney signing his franchise tender in Houston to the Miami Dolphins flipping for the pass rusher in 2019. Clowney had other plans, which seem to have worked out pretty well for him so far this season — Clowney is still playing with the Seattle Seahawks, who will be playing in Green Bay this weekend for a spot in the NFC Championship game.
But should the Dolphins revisit potentially pursuing Clowney in the even the hits the open market as a free agent this offseason? Clowney is currently 26 years of age and is going to demand a monster contract — perhaps not as immense as one he would have commanded had he racked up double digit sacks this season, but Clowney has been a disruptive presence when on the field even if his sack numbers don’t reflect it.
Spotrac projects Clowney to expect a contract somewhere around an average of $20M in salary per season in his next deal — that’s based on the precedent of contracts signed by the likes of Frank Clark and Khalil Mack, among others. That number is daunting and quite frankly should be one that rightfully makes Dolphins fans squirm after seeing how the Ndamukong Suh experiment ended.
Granted, Clowney is a different player. And he’s also tailor-made for the Dolphins’ defensive scheme — consider that he came from a Patriots disciple in Houston. If Clowney wants to be put in a system that will maximize his skills, Miami is the place to do it. The team has cap, the team is on the upswing and Flores will implement Clowney’s rare talents in ways only a select few coaches can in their schemes.
But for $20M a year? The Dolphins would probably be more wise to bid him the best of luck elsewhere and pursue a draft prospect like LSU’s K’Lavon Chaisson to fill a similar role in Miami’s defense. Rookie wage scales are much more affordable and if the gamble on Chaisson hits, Miami will get four years of play before having to cough up a $20M per season contract.
It’s good in theory — but Miami is better off letting Clowney in a Dolphins uniform serve as water under the bridge when you consider the cost.
[vertical-gallery id=420233]